TechFed Nashville Launches to Support Grassroots Tech Talent

Founded by community organizers Chuck Bryant, Jacques Woodcock, and John Wark, the Technologist Federation of Nashville — known as TechFed Nashville — provides support to existing tech meetups and events in Middle Tennessee and helps new groups form and thrive through mentorships and support on the business side, including legal, accounting, and marketing services.

“I’m proud and amazed every day by how much our local talent gives back and how active our community is,” Woodcock says. “It is this passion that TechFed Nashville aims to encourage and help grow by removing the many hurdles grassroots organizers face in their efforts. It is our goal to let them know they are not doing this alone.”

TechFed Nashville will also serve as a membership organization, as technologists in Middle Tennessee can join for free to stay up-to-date on events and community happenings. There will be a paid level for those who wish to support the community financially as well.

“These are the people who are powering our local tech economy, who turn out to events to learn, share and network, and who influence and lead their colleagues and peers,” Bryant says. “We want TechFed Nashville to not only become the go-to resource for discovering opportunities and getting involved, but to provide back-end support for organizers so that they can focus less on logistics and more on content programming.”

TechFed Nashville will make its debut this weekend at the tenth anniversary of BarCamp Nashville, which is one of the organization’s 11 initial partnered groups and events. The first BarCamp Nashville was held in 2007 and led to the growth of additional technology-focused events and groups in the region.

“The local grassroots community has worked for close to a decade in making Nashville one of the most diverse and inviting tech communities in the nation,” Woodcock says.